The Message on Emily’s New Phone

Emily Bradley wanted a smart phone for her tenth birthday. Her mother and step-father had been reluctant to give her one because they felt it was a luxury for a child to have, but finally agreed to surprise her with one for her birthday.

At bedtime, as Emily laid the phone on the stand beside her bed, she noticed a text message on the phone. She was surprised because no one knew she had a phone.

She picked up the phone and read the message. “Good news. Now we can talk.”

For some strange reason, Emily couldn’t tell who sent the message. And she couldn’t respond because her parents told her to not be on the phone after nine o’clock and it was now ten o’clock. But she was dying to know who sent the message.

She was about to turn out the light when she noticed another message. “Please respond. Important.”

Emily decided to take the risk violating her parents’ rule and respond.

“Who are you?” she texted.

“Your brother.”

“I don’t have a brother.”

“Yes you do.”

“You’re wrong. Who are you?”

“Your brother. I’m dead.”

Emily almost dropped the phone. Someone’s playing a mean prank, she thought.

Another message appeared. “Sorry to shock u.”

Emily sat in disbelief.

“My name is Brogan,” the next message said.

Emily got upset. This has gone far enough, she thought.

“Stop,” she texted. “This isn’t funny.”

“He killed me.”

Emily became frightened. A lunatic had somehow gotten her number.

Another message appeared. “U MUST believe me. Your life’s in danger.”

Emily began to tremble but felt herself being drawn into this strange mystery on her phone. She decided to respond.

Emily turned and saw her step-father. He had a cell phone in one hand and a rope in the other.

Credit:

Charles Lee is a retired college professor who now enjoys creative writing, oil painting, volunteering, and gardening. He lives an active lifestyle with his wife in a retirement community in Tallahassee, FL.

The Message on Emily’s New Phone
Reviewed by Editor
on
20 October
Rating: 5